Hello Infant families!
We have started the semester off strong with all of our new friends in the classroom and can’t believe it’s already the end of September! We are learning each child’s routines and preferences, while also helping them get acclimated to their new classroom and new faces. Our classroom is very fortunate to have a handful of student workers and floaters, along with our two practicum students, Stephanie and Shannon. Stephanie will be lead teaching the first week of October and we are excited to see what activities she has planned for our classroom!
Routines
As the children have begun the semester in their new classroom, we have been working on building routines with them each and every day. From washing hands when they get to school, washing hands before and after meals, washing hands after diaper changes, among many other things, this creates a schedule for them in that they know what to expect. In addition to doing routines at school, we try to incorporate routines that you may do at home at school as well. This could be how they are put to sleep or how they are fed. As the children are getting older, we are following more of their cues. As they get older and start eating more table food, they may not want as much of a bottle. They also might not sleep as much (which could depend on the day), and could sleep later in the day, more similar to the toddler room schedule. Routines are so important for children. It gives them a sense of what will be happening, what they can expect, and gets them in a rhythm of how their day will be. With infants though, we do recognize that we need to be flexible and adapt that routine and schedule when need be for individual children.
On the Move!
With a wide range of ages in our classroom, we are seeing the children move in all sorts of ways. From climbing, walking, crawling, pulling themselves up and cruising, or rolling over, we have been seeing it all. We are supporting their growth in helping them reach these milestones. It is a new and exciting time in helping the children grow and develop. Below, please find a link to the areas of development for infants and at what age it is to be expected. It provides you with ways to support your child in their growth and to keep them safe while they reach these milestones.
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/getting-mobile/
Sensory Experiences
Introducing the infants to various sensory experiences has been something we have been doing this first month of school. Art activities of paint, foam paint, and ink pads have been provided for the children. All of these activities are non toxic and washable products. At the CDFC, we do process art with the children. Process art allows the children to express themselves and follow their own lead and not have a finished product that will be the same as everyone else. Process art opens the opportunity for conversation with the children to tell you what they are making, how they are making it, etc. At the infant age, they will not always answer your questions or be able to respond to you like older children would, but at this young of an age, it is a great opportunity to be communicating and teaching new vocabulary to the children. Talking about what you see the child doing, what colors they’re using, or how the material they are using for art might feel, are all ways of creating a conversation with your child.
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/winter2023/art-story-and-process
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/supporting-development-creativity
We are loving every minute with your child and can’t wait for the rest of the semester to see them grow and learn even more. Thank you for trusting us to care for your baby each day they are at school. We know that it is hard to leave your child in an unfamiliar place with people you do not know. As the semester progresses, we look forward to building stronger relationships with you and your child!
Reminders
- As the weather changes, if your child begins to show any symptoms of COVID, you will have to test your child for COVID in order for them to return to the center. If you choose not to test your child, they will need to stay home for 10 days. Please call the center if your child is home ill and experiencing any symptoms. You will receive an email from an administrator with further details and instructions if they are feeling ill.
- We are not able to accept and/or feed any bottles to your child that you may have brought from home that are premade. You are more than welcome to feed the bottle to your child when you arrive, but the only bottles we can serve are ones that we make.
- With changing weather, please bring appropriate clothing for your children. We do try to go outside each day, so having socks and shoes for those that are walking would be good to have.
- If you have not done so, please return your child’s ASQ and ASQ-SE.
Sincerely,
Krysten, Eisa, and Ecila
